Day 1 EuroHockey Junior Championships II, Hradec Kralove

Day 1
Lithuania – Slovakia 1:2 (1:1)
Exciting first game of the tournament where the underdogs from Lithuania was a very tough opponent for Slovakian team. Slovaks started strong and scored a goal in 14th minute, but Lithuanians came with fast answer and equalized the game 5 minutes later. Lot of chances then on the Slovak side, but the goalkeeper from Lithuania had a great day today. He was beaten only once again 6 minutes after the start of second half, but all the other shots were saved by him or hit the post. As also the Lithuanians didn’t score from any chance, result in the end was 2:1 for Slovakian team.
Gibraltar – Turkey 2:2 (1:0)
Another tight game of the first day here, in Hradec Kralove. Gibraltar faced Turkey and it was really hot on and off the pitch. There were couple of chances in both halves but Gibraltar was the first team who scored. In the last second of the first half, Julian Lopez was successful from a PC and Gibraltarians went to changing rooms with smile on their faces! Another chance for positive emotions came only after 5 minutes of second half, the same player, the same PC and same result – 2:0 for Gibraltar. But Turkey didnt put their heads down and deserved the draw. Vakif Kilinc and Onur Acikgoz during and 8 minute spell equalized the score 2:2 and it was also final score of the game.
Czech Republic – Azerbaijan 4:1 (2:0)
Czech Republic faced Azerbaijan in the last game of the opening day of Eurohockey Junior Championship II. Czech were confident of the win, being the better team, but the difference between both teams were not so big. The Czechs scored the first goal after a great team work of the whole attack in the 7th minute and Lukas Plochy celebrated the first Czech goal of the tournament. There was anamazing crowd here in Arena who were happy again after 10 minutes, when Jan Zelezny showed his skills and beat the Azerbaijan goalkeeper – 2:0. The third goal came right after 29 seconds of the second half. Tomas Hyncik was the lucky one. Azerbaijan team also had a chance to celebrate. After few seconds Agil Mammadov scored and made it more difficult for Czech team. But Czechs wanted to ensure their win and pushed hard for another goal, local hero Tomas Hyncik scored and the final result was 4:1 for the hosts.